The Port Stephens community is pitching in to help Australia’s drought-stressed farmers. Here are just some of the events and campaigns that are currently running in the Port: Rotary Nelson Bay and Salamander Bay Rotary clubs have joined Rotary Australia, Channel 9 and the Federated Farmers Association’s campaign to provide aid to farmers in drought affected regions. Nelson Bay Rotary Club will donate proceeds from its annual golf day on October 12 to the campaign. It is investigating a number of avenues in which it can used the funds, such as directing it at schools or hospitals in drought affected areas. Funds raised from Salamander Bay Rotary Club’s Bunnings barbecue on Saturday, August 11 will go to the national campaign. Rotary Australia’s World Community Services has set up a Drought Relief Fund which will also enable people to make a tax deductible donations. This also guarantees that every dollar raised will go to where it should with no handling fees involved. Lions Proceeds raised from Soldiers Point Lions’ barbecue at Tomaree Markets on Sunday, August 12 will be donated to the national organisation’s Need for Feed disaster relief fund. Medowie Bale Out the Drought The month-long campaign will hit its crescendo on Sunday, August 12 at the Bull n Bush Hotel. “We have so many people keen to help out for this great cause,” organiser Ben Niland said. “We have seen kids donating their piggy banks and selling lemonade drinks, sports clubs donating raffle money, businesses kicking in vouchers and cash.” The campaign had an initial fundraising goal of $20,000 but it is now close to raising $30,000. “We’ve been totally swamped,” organiser Chris Doohan said. “The level of support and community spirit makes us proud to call Medowie home.” At the hotel on Sunday from 10am there will be entertainment, food, activities and displays for children and adults. The huge raffle and auction will be finalised on the day. Raffle tickets will be available at Medowie Markets on Saturday, August 11. Campaign organisers will announce which Port Stephens town they will be handing the Bale out the Drought baton to. All money raised goes to registered charity Rural Aid. The Bale out the Drought registration number is RASN2003. Irrawang High School The school kicked off a month-long Buy a Bale campaign for Hunter valley farmers on August 1. Gary Bently from Rural Aid addressed the school on the first day of the campaign. He spoke about the plight of farmers and where and how the funds raised and donations made to the school will help. There will be a whole school event each week for August to raise funds. A final trivia night will be held on September 14. On August 10 there will be an out of uniform day, themed life on the farm. Parents can donate online via the school website. The wider school community can direct debit to the account FARMER at the Greater Bank. BSB: 637-000, Account number: 722737644. Medowie digging deep for drought aid Power of social media in sharing drought message Terrace hay runner in Lions’ Need for Feed convoy Salamander Recycling Centre helps out drought affected Boorowa Adopt a shire idea for coastal towns to help in times of drought Medowie's bale out campaign for drought relief Marauders charity round raises $2800 for Food Way, $500 for farmers

Nelson Bay Rotary Club will donate proceeds from its annual golf day on October 12 to the campaign. It is investigating a number of avenues in which it can used the funds, such as directing it at schools or hospitals in drought affected areas.

Funds raised from Salamander Bay Rotary Club’s Bunnings barbecue on Saturday, August 11 will go to the national campaign.

GIVING: Nelson Bay Rotary Club president Kathy Rimmer with Salamander Bay Rotary Club president Ina George. The clubs are pitching in to help farmers.

Rotary Australia’s World Community Services has set up a Drought Relief Fund which will also enable people to make a tax deductible donations. This also guarantees that every dollar raised will go to where it should with no handling fees involved.

Lions

Proceeds raised from Soldiers Point Lions’ barbecue at Tomaree Markets on Sunday, August 12 will be donated to the national organisation’s Need for Feed disaster relief fund.

Medowie Bale Out the Drought

The month-long campaign will hit its crescendo on Sunday, August 12 at the Bull n Bush Hotel.

“We have so many people keen to help out for this great cause,” organiser Ben Niland said. “We have seen kids donating their piggy banks and selling lemonade drinks, sports clubs donating raffle money, businesses kicking in vouchers and cash.”

The campaign had an initial fundraising goal of $20,000 but it is now close to raising $30,000.

“We’ve been totally swamped,” organiser Chris Doohan said. “The level of support and community spirit makes us proud to call Medowie home.”

At the hotel on Sunday from 10am there will be entertainment, food, activities and displays for children and adults.

The huge raffle and auction will be finalised on the day. Raffle tickets will be available at Medowie Markets on Saturday, August 11.

Campaign organisers will announce which Port Stephens town they will be handing the Bale out the Drought baton to.

All money raised goes to registered charity Rural Aid. The Bale out the Drought registration number is RASN2003.

Irrawang High School

The school kicked off a month-long Buy a Bale campaign for Hunter valley farmers on August 1.

Gary Bently from Rural Aid addressed the school on the first day of the campaign. He spoke about the plight of farmers and where and how the funds raised and donations made to the school will help.

There will be a whole school event each week for August to raise funds. A final trivia night will be held on September 14.

On August 10 there will be an out of uniform day, themed life on the farm.